SCENE V.—_A Room in the Palace.

_CESAR and ARIAS talking: to whom after a time enter LAZARO._

_Laz._ Oh, I have had rare work.

_Ces._ The letter! (_takes it from LAZARO_)

_Ar._ And how did all end?

_Laz._ Well—as I am home at last safe and sound.

_Ces._ Arias, you share my heart; even read my letter with me. (_They read._)

_Laz._ (_aside_). That my master should trust that babbler who let out about my wooden sword to the Prince! my life upon ’t, he’ll do the same to him; for he who sucks in gossip is the first to leak it.

_Ar._ Sweetly she writes!

_Ces._ How should it be but sweet, Where modesty and wit and true love meet?

_Ar._ And expects you this evening!

_Ces._ Till which each minute is an hour, each hour A day, a year, a century!

_Laz._ And then In sæcula sæculorum. Amen.

_Ar._ The Prince!

_Ces._ I dread his seeing me.

_Ar._ But how?

_Ces._ Lest, as already twice, he thwart me now.

_Enter PRINCE._

_Prince._ Cesar here, when I am on fire to know the upshot of my plot upon his letter! I must get quit of him.

_Ces._ Good day, my lord.

_Prince._ Well, any news abroad?

_Ar._ Not that I know of, my lord.

_Prince._ Cesar, there are despatches in my closet, have been lying there since yesterday, should they not be seen to at once?

_Ces._ My lord! (_Aside._) I foresaw it!

_Prince._ Yes! I would have you look to them and report them to me directly.

_Ces._ (_aside_). Ah, this is better! (_Aloud._) I’ll see to them. (_Aside._) And then, I trust, day’s work with daylight o’er, Man, nor malicious star, shall cross me more.

[_Exeunt CESAR and LAZARO._

_Prince._ And now about the letter?

_Ar._ I only know, my lord, that though Felix got home first, Lazaro got there somehow, somehow gave her the letter, and somehow got an answer.

_Prince._ Hast seen it?

_Ar._ Yes, my lord.

_Prince._ _And_—

_Ar._ She appoints another meeting this evening.

_Prince._ And I must myself despatch his work, so as to leave him free to-night! Oh Arias, what can I do more?

_Ar._ Cannot your Highness go there yourself, and so at least stop further advancement?

_Prince._ True, true; and yet I know not; it might be too suspicious. I must consider what shall be done;

And what more subtle engine I may try Against these lovers’ ingenuity.

[_Exeunt._